2% reservation for transgenders in govt housing schemes

few months ahead of the assembly election, the state government has decided to reserve 2% houses for transgenders in its housing schemes.

The urban development and housing (UDH) department has amended the Urban Land Disposal Rules, 1974 to make provision that urban local bodies will have 2% reservation for transgenders in housing schemes coming up on government land, said a department official.

“UDH minister Shrichand Kriplani has approved a notification (to this effect) that will be issued shortly,” the official said.

“Transgenders will have 2% reservation in houses for Low Income Group (LIG) and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in government housing schemes,” the official said.

There is already a provision for reservation of 3% houses for the physically challenged.

The new amendment will come into force after the notification is published in the gazette.

Ahead of the election, the government has given several land sops to social, religious, caste and education groups as well as charitable trusts.

The opposition has alleged that the land allotments are being done to woo voters in an election year.

Congress state unit president Sachin Pilot has said land allotments would be investigated if the Congress returns to power.

Welcoming the move, Pushpa, founder of Nayi Bhor organisation that works with transgenders, said it was an attempt at mainstreaming of the community. “Transgenders have been discriminated against and shunned. Now efforts are being made at mainstreaming and equality of the community. We are slowly being given benefits of government schemes,” she said.

JAIPUR:A